Information Services > Security > News & Updates > secret-shopper-2-17-22

Job Application for Secret Shopper - 2-17-22

Screenshot of malicious email:

Example of phishing email offering a job as a secret shopper.
On February 17th, 2022, there was a job scam email that was sent out from a compromised University email address. This is similar to the job scams the Information Security Team has been alerting the community to for many months.

In this scam the malicious email encourages recipients to apply for a job as a Secret Shopper by clicking on a link in the email. The recipient is asked to supply personal information such as name, age, email address, address, etc.

Once in contact with the malicious actor, the malicious actor will often request further personal information. Ultimately, the malicious actor will attempt to defraud the victim by sending the victim a fraudulent check and/or via a cash transferring app such as Zelle or Cash App.

Some indicators that this email is malicious:
- Promises of easy money
- Communication via a DePaul University email address regarding a non-related opportunity